Verse By Verse Through Revelation

Chapter Twenty-Two

Revelation 22:1 “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

• He that talked with John was one of the seven angels that had one of the seven last vials of plagues (Revelation 21:9-10).
• John is shown a river of water of life, clear, coming from God. The source is clearly identified (Jeremiah 2:13, Jeremiah 17:13, John 4:5-14, John 7:37-39, Revelation 21:6, and Revelation 22:17).

• The figures continue to appear. Now, in the midst of the street (Revelation 21:21) on either side of the river of the water of life, is the tree of life (Revelation 2:7).
• This is very similar to the imagery in the vision of the rebuilt temple that Ezekiel had (Ezekiel 47:6-12).
• Later in this chapter, we will read of the tree of life again (Revelation 22:14).
• The tree of life represents eternal life (Genesis 3:22).
• Therefore, the healing would be extension point one’s mind to spiritual healing. This comes from Christ (I Peter 2:21-25).

• Those who overcame would see the curses end (Revelation 7:9-17).
• They shall see the face of the Lamb and His name shall be in their foreheads (Revelation 3:12).
• Unlike the end of all things wherein we shall be joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) when He gives the kingdom back to the Father (I Corinthians 15:24-28); serving Christ is still in place (Romans 14:18).
• There is no night any more (Revelation 21:22-23). There is nothing to fear. Those remaining after the persecution have nothing to fear. The Lord is their light (Revelation 21:22-25).
• Just as of old with Israel, this is figurative language for those who have overcome a period of darkness (Isaiah 60:18-22).
• Consider the figures presented here along with an Old Testament Psalm (Psalms 36:1-12).

• “He” is still one of the seven angels that had one of the seven last vials of plagues (Revelation 21:9-10).
• Like we saw in the previous chapter, these words are true and faithful (Revelation 21:5).
• The angel was a messenger sent from the Lord God (cf. Luke 1:19, Luke 1:26, and Revelation 14:6).
• The angel’s goal was to shew the servants of God the things which were to be done shortly (Revelation 1:1-3 and Revelation 22:10).
• We will see in the next verse that Jesus was going to come quickly (Revelation 22:7).
• As we have discussed throughout this letter, this again shows we are NOT talking about the end of the world (Matthew 24:35-36 and II Peter 3:10-14).

• The context clearly bears out this is Jesus (Revelation 22:16).
• As we read in the previous verse, the timeline is short (Revelation 22:6).
• The Lord was coming quickly (Revelation 3:11, Revelation 22:12, and Revelation 22:20).
• Satan knew this too (Revelation 12:12).
• Those who kept the sayings of this book were going to be blessed (Revelation 1:3 and Revelation 22:14; cf. Luke 11:27-28).

• This is the second time John has done this, and the reply of the angel is like the first time (Revelation 19:10).
• God is to be worshipped (Luke 4:8).
• Angels are fellow servants (Psalms 103:20-21, Psalms 104:4, and Hebrews 1:14).

• In this letter, seven seals have been opened (Revelation 5:1-8:5).
• Some of what John heard he was told to seal (Revelation 10:4).
• Now, there is not to be a seal. The time was at hand. We have seen the time was short (Revelation 22:6). The coming was quick (Revelation 22:7). Now, things are at hand. This can mean the current or the next generation. When Jesus and John preached the kingdom was at hand, that was within that one generation (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, and Luke 9:27). When Isaiah prophesied of the fall of Babylon, that was also “at hand” (Isaiah 13:1-14:23). That did not happen until after the next generation. Israel, after Isaiah’s generation, spent seventy years in Babylonian captivity before Babylon fell (Jeremiah 25:11-12). So, we can safely deduce things are within a generation or two from the Revelation to actual occurrence.

• This verse has to be understood in light of when the time actually came. TIME IS UP! We know this because this letter called for repentance and even those following Rome were given the chance to repent even though they did not take it (Revelation 2:5, Revelation 2:16, Revelation 2:21-22, Revelation 3:3, Revelation 3:19, Revelation 9:20-21, and Revelation 16:9-11).
• So, with that, it is in light of when things go down one might as well stay in their condition of faithful or not, because of the quickness of the judgment at hand. See the reasoning in relation to the persecution Paul warned Corinth about in regard to marriage (I Corinthians 7:25-31). Thus, see the next verse…

• Again (Revelation 22:7), the Lord was coming quickly.
• The pattern of our Lord is to reward according to one’s works (Isaiah 3:10-11, Jeremiah 17:10, Jeremiah 25:14, Matthew 16:27, Romans 2:5-6, I Corinthians 3:8, Revelation 2:23, and Revelation 20:13).
• The wording of “his work shall be” can be a bit confusing. The ASV 1901 says: “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is.” The NKJV says: “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” The Greek word translated “shall be” [ἔσομαι] appears 188 times in the N.T. That word can be translated “be” (Matthew 5:48). In the next verse it is translated “may have” (Revelation 22:14).
• We talked about the “Alpha” and “Omega” in the previous chapter (Revelation 21:6). The Lord is the beginning and the ending (Revelation 1:8). He is the first and the last (Revelation 1:11).

• Circling back the judgment spoken of in Revelation was coming quickly. Obedience was going to be rewarding (Revelation 22:7).
• Those obedient, who overcame the tribulation, were going to have right to the tree of life (Revelation 2:7).
• Under the Law of Moses and under the Law of Christ, God has always required obedience to receive good from Him (Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 11:26-28, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, I Samuel 12:14-15, Psalms 112:1, Matthew 7:21-28, Luke 11:27-28, John 14:15-23, and Hebrews 5:8-9).
• Remember what city we are contextually talking about (Revelation 3:12 and Revelation 21:1-10).

• Again, contextually, the only ones permitted to enter into the city are those whose names are in the book of life (Revelation 21:27).
• The Lord adds to the church (Acts 2:47).
• No one can break in or climb in some other way (John 10:1-18 and John 14:6).
• Fellowship with God is strictly limited (II Corinthians 6:14-18 and I John 1:1-7).
• Dogs (Matthew 7:1-5 and Philippians 3:1-3).
• Sorcerers (Acts 13:6-12 and Revelation 21:8).
• Whoremongers [fornicators] (Ephesians 5:5 and Hebrews 13:4).
• Murderers and idolaters (Galatians 5:19-21).
• Whosoever loveth and maketh a lie (Jeremiah 5:31 and Proverbs 19:9).
• The fact is, during the time of the events prophesied in this letter, God sent a strong delusion to those who loved lies (II Thessalonians 2:1-12).

• This letter is called “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” that was sent and signified by his angel (Revelation 1:1).
• This letter is addressed to the seven churches in Asia (Revelation 1:4 and Revelation 1:9-11).
• Jesus is the root and offspring of David (Matthew 1:1, Romans 1:3, and II Timothy 2:8, and Revelation 5:5).
• The morning star (Revelation 2:26-28).

• “Come” says the Spirit, the bride, and those that had heard. The excitement has returned like as when Jesus was the fresh air that blew into a dark world (John 1:35-45).
• Those who looked at the church in the times of persecution would see suffering (Revelation 1:9, Revelation 2:9-10, Revelation 2:22, and Revelation 11:7-10). Now, those looking on can see those who overcame (Revelation 7:14) inviting others to come.
• The bride is the church (Revelation 21:1-10; cf. Ephesians 5:22-32 and Hebrews 12:22-23).
• We have already read about “the water of life” (Revelation 21:6 and Revelation 22:1).
• This invitation was like as Israel of old received (Isaiah 55:1-3).

• The prophecy of this book is in reference to this specific letter (Revelation 1:1-3).
• Throughout God’s word, the fact has been that God demands no departure from or additions to His words (Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Deuteronomy 12:32, Deuteronomy 27:26, Joshua 1:7-8, Proverbs 30:5-6, Jeremiah 7:30-31, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 7:1-13, Luke 11:28, I Corinthians 4:6, Galatians 1:6-12, Galatians 3:14-16, and II John 1:9).
• Whether one adds or removes from the words of this letter, the punishment is loss of reward and then the granting of punishment. The consequences for disobedience to God is consistent throughout His word (Leviticus 26:14-38 and Hebrews 10:26-31).

• The angel is he which was testifying (Revelation 22:16).
• The He who was to come quickly was Jesus. Coming quickly is a repeated statement in this letter (Revelation 2:6, Revelation 2:16, Revelation 3:11, Revelation 22:7, and Revelation 22:12).

• The extension of grace is common in the conclusion of many New Testament letters (Romans 16:20; 16:24, I Corinthians 16:24, II Corinthians 13:14, Galatians 6:18, Ephesians 6:24, Philippians 4:23, Colossians 4:18, I Thessalonians 5:28, II Thessalonians 3:18, I Timothy 6:21, II Timothy 4:22, Titus 3:15, Philemon 1:25, and Hebrews 13:25).
• Salvation is, in part, through the grace of Jesus (Acts 15:11, Ephesians 2:5, and II Timothy 1:8-9).

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